Muskingum sweeps Capital in thrilling fashion

Freshman Nolan Fernandes delivered an astonishing one-hit, extra inning, complete-game gem in the nightcap to help lead Muskingum to a doubleheader comeback sweep of Capital. The Muskies won 2-1 in 10 innings in game two and rallied late in game one to take a 5-3 victory. 

The Basics 

• Records: Muskingum (11-12 overall, 4-4 Ohio Athletic Conference), Capital (11-15 overall, 2-6 Ohio Athletic Conference)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - Mose Morehead Field

Game Two Highlights

Freshman pitcher Nolan Fernandes pitched an unbelievable masterpiece. He fired 10 innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts and two walks, while allowing just one run. His dominating performance helped set the stage for a bottom of the ninth rally and ultimately an extra-inning win.

Trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth with one out, the Muskies tied the contest on a sacrifice fly by freshman Matt Stewart that brought in freshman Caden Mumaw to score the game-tying run. In the bottom of the 10th with one out, junior Marc Ibarra belted a walk-off single to left center, bringing junior Ben Van Wey in from second base to propel the Muskies past the Crusaders in a thrilling contest. Van Wey walked to open the inning and advanced to second on senior Eddie Harper's sacrifice bunt to set the stage for the walk-off victory.

Inside the Numbers - Game Two

• Muskingum scored two runs on six hits and had two errors
• Junior Nate Mejia went 3-for-4 at the plate to pace the Muskies offense.
• Senior Eddie Harper, junior Marc Ibarra, and junior Michael Pagano each had one hit, with Pagano's being a double.
• Ibarra and freshman Matt Stewart each accrued an RBI.
• Freshman Caden Mumaw and junior Ben Van Wey each notched a run scored.
• Freshman Nolan Fernandes was outstanding from the mound as he pitched a complete game, allowed one run on one hit, two walks, and tossed six strikeouts to take the win.
• Capital scored one run on one hit.
• Shayne Lyons notched the lone hit for the Crusaders.
• Relief pitcher Alex Mukensturm was dealt the loss as he allowed two runs on two hits and four walks.

Game One Highlights

In game one, Capital posted one run in the top of the third, fourth, and seventh inning to hold a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Muskingum answered back by erupting for five runs on four hits. Mumaw started the seventh-inning rally for the Muskies as he brought in Harper, followed by a two-run single from Stewart, and an RBI single from Donathan, which also allowed Stewart to score on a Capital error. Senior Levi Boyer held the Crusaders hitless in the eighth and ninth inning to preserve the Muskie win.

Inside the Numbers - Game One

• Muskingum scored five runs on five hits.
• Mumaw led the Muskie attack by going 2-for-3 at the dish, with an RBI and run scored.
• Senior Brad Donathan collected a hit and an RBI.
• Harper tallied a hit and a run scored.
• Stewart had one hit, one run scored, and finished with a team-high two RBIs.
• Mejia and freshman Luke Currie each scored a run.   
• Junior pitcher Evan Hinds started the game and went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs on 10 hits, one walk, and registered six strikeouts.
• Senior relief pitcher Levi Boyer finished the final 2.1 innings, allowed two hits on no runs, no walks, and added a strikeout to take the win.   
• Capital scored three runs on 12 hits and committed one error.
• Alexander Smith, Daniel Walters, and Drew Ellis led the Crusaders with one RBI each.
• Clay Piatt took the loss for Capital after allowing five runs on four hits and two walks.

Up Next

• Muskingum will play at Washington & Jefferson on Wednesday, April 11. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m.